News Release

Monday, August 21, 2000

Murder Investigation Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 21, 2000

"Murder Investigation Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting"

Los Angeles - On Sunday, August 20, 2000, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Newton Area uniformed Officers S. Meade, Serial No. 30401, 30 years of age and seven years with the Department and L. Pinell, Serial No. 35543, 21 years of age and nine months with the Department were conducting an attempt murder investigation in the 4100 block of Ascot Avenue.

The officers observed a suspect park his vehicle with the radio playing loudly. When the suspect was told to turn down the volume he became extremely agitated, began swearing and refused to comply with the officers. Additional Newton Area patrol officers, along with two sergeants arrived at the scene and attempted to control the suspect. Officer Meade and other officers attempted to handcuff the suspect. The suspect fell to the ground with Officer Meade falling on him. The suspect grabbed Officer Meade's holstered pistol and attempted to draw it, but the officer grabbed the suspect's hand. Officer Meade told the other officers that the suspect had his gun. The suspect also made the same statement. Newton patrol Officer T. Thompson, Serial No. 33086, 30 years of age and four years with the Department, fearing for Officer Meade's life, fired one round at the suspect, striking him in the neck. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Cedric Dawson was transported to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and then booked for 148(c) P.C., Attempting to take an officer's firearm while resisting. No officers were injured as a result of this incident.

Detectives from the Officer-Involved Shooting Section and Homicide Special Section II, Robbery-Homicide Division are handling the investigation.